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Applying Life Cycle Assessment to Simulation-Based Decision Support: A Swedish Waste Collection Case Study

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Advances and New Trends in Environmental Informatics

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Abstract

A method of integrating life cycle assessment into a simulation-based decision support system has been developed to help decision makers take environmental impact into account during daily operations. The method was demonstrated in a real-world case study involving eight different trucks, which were selected and maintained by the case company. The trucks used different fuels, namely diesel, biodiesel, vehicle gas, and electricity. Compared to conventional diesel trucks, those using biodiesel emitted 37% less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Gas trucks reduced GHG emissions by a further 40%. Overall, electric trucks have the lowest emissions. This paper also addresses the development of the methodology for this study. In particular, comparisons are made regarding the selection of different functional units and system activity mapping. Ways of achieving more accurate conclusions in future studies are discussed.

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Liu, Y., Syberfeldt, A., Strand, M. (2020). Applying Life Cycle Assessment to Simulation-Based Decision Support: A Swedish Waste Collection Case Study. In: Schaldach, R., Simon, KH., Weismüller, J., Wohlgemuth, V. (eds) Advances and New Trends in Environmental Informatics. Progress in IS. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30862-9_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30862-9_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-30861-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-30862-9

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